Miami Comes up Short in 83-78 Decision to Florida International
Dec. 5, 2006
MIAMI, Fla. – Miami sophomore center Brittany Denson’s career-high 23-point performance couldn’t top Florida International’s LaQuetta Ferguson’s 28-point effort as Miami fell to cross-town rival Florida International 83-78 Tuesday night at Pharmed Arena.
After trialing by as much as eight points early in the second half Miami (7-3) used a quick six-point run by junior guard Maurita Reid, who finished with 17 points and five steals, to cut the lead to two at 48-46 and eventually tied the game at 55-all with 14:13 remaining on a basketball by junior Carla Williams.
After trading baskets with FIU (4-3), Miami took the lead for the first time of the night on a lay-up by Denson just under the 11-minute mark before jumping to a 67-60 advantage with 8:43 remaining.
Miami stayed ahead for the next three minutes until FIU put together seven unanswered points to tie the game at 73-all with 3:35 left to play on a layup by Lasma Jekabsone.
Jeckabsone put FIU up 75-73 two possessions later only to have Reid answer with a jump shot on UM’s next trip down to tie it once more at 75-all with 2:09 remaining.
Ferguson matched Reid’s shot on FIU’s next possession down and the Golden Panthers held off the Hurricane comeback over the final minute-and-a-half.
As a team, Miami shot converted 26-of-29 free throw attempts led by Denson who knocked down 11-of-13 shots from the free throw line.
